Keep it long, treasure it long.

From pants to skirts

One of the joys of choosing what to wear every morning, when the seasons and situations are different, is to think about TPO in a head-to-head battle between yourself and your schedule for the day. Among these, for active people, pants style is safe when meeting anyone, but long skirts are recommended because you can change your mood by changing the shape and style you choose.

Choosing a skirt can change your mood a little bit, and we recommend long skirts to add some color to your days. If pants style is an absolute requirement when choosing clothes on a daily basis, long or maxi lengths are just as calming as pants, and you can expect a change of pace and new discoveries. Best of all, it can make you feel better when it comes to the fact that a woman's charm attracts you.

Crinkly fabric that creates a layer of air

BIWACOTTON produces clothing using fabrics inspired by Shiga Prefecture's traditional "Takashima Chijimi". At first glance, the design is simple, but when you touch it and try it on, you realize the quality of the material.
A gathered skirt with a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. The smooth feel makes it comfortable to wear without worrying about skirts or pants. However, what is different from pants is that you can create a fluffy atmosphere. If you are looking for a soft impression, a gathered long skirt is easy for anyone to incorporate into your wardrobe and is a convenient way to express yourself.

Takashima Chijimi was made to be easy to wear even in humid Japan. From there, we created BIWACOTTON by twisting the cotton threads more tightly to create a densely packed, high-twisted thread, which was then woven with even more gaps. When we think of curly fabric, we associate it with stiff pants, but BIWACOTTON's great features are its cool texture and refreshing feel, which makes it a great choice for modern casual wear. In addition, the curly fabric creates a layer of air that retains heat, so you can choose it all year round.

It can be worn in a variety of ways, and the simple design means you can match it with any item. Pair it with a T-shirt for a casual look, or pair it with a flowing blouse for a feminine look. It does not wrinkle even when folded, so it is recommended as loungewear while traveling.

Connecting ancient Japanese techniques to the present

``Loquat Cotton'' is a fabric developed based on the technique of ``Takashima Chijimi'', a traditional industry in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture that has continued since the Edo period.
Chijimi is an ancient Japanese cooling material created to help people spend the hot and humid summers in Japan comfortably, and it is said that it became widely used after being popularized nationwide by Takashima merchants. Loquat cotton is a fabric that has evolved to suit modern clothing while inheriting the same manufacturing method.

The difference between loquat cotton and Takashima chijimi lies in the twist of the threads. Takashima Chijimi uses yarn that is twisted more strongly than usual, but Biwa Cotton is twisted even closer to its limit, giving it a drier feel.
The next step is to weave these highly twisted yarns using an air-jet loom that blows the weft yarns out with air, but this process is even more difficult. Because the fabric is twisted so strongly, it often shrinks during weaving. However, when you see this beautiful-looking and stretchy fabric, you can tell that it has been carefully made through many iterations, and you will want to use it carefully.

In addition, loquat cotton is made with all kinds of innovations in the manufacturing process. I will explain its characteristics by dividing them into three major categories.

◇Feature 1: 100% genuine cotton
We do not use any synthetic fibers or fibers other than cotton.
However, it is unique to Biwa cotton because it stretches well and gives you the unique feel of silky, high-quality linen.

◇Feature 2: Comfortable cool feeling
Since the weaving leaves gaps between the threads, it is breathable. It dries quickly, and with the excellent water absorption of cotton material, the fabric doesn't get sticky even when you sweat.
Furthermore, the wrinkled texture makes it less likely to stick to the skin than regular cotton products, making it comfortable to wear even during the hot summer months.

◇Feature 3: Excellent elasticity
After weaving carefully selected high-twist yarns, we run them through boiling water to shrink them, creating a fabric with even more stretch. There is no stress from wearing it, and the light comfort lasts for a long time.

Clear, light, and comfortable

``Loquat Cotton'' has evolved into modern clothing while retaining the functionality of the Steteco material. BIWACOTTON, made in Shiga, which is home to Lake Biwa and has abundant water resources, is a comfortable fabric for summer that is a modern update of "Takashima Chijimi", which has a history of over 200 years. Our predecessors have been producing Takashima Chijimi fabrics for many years, but with the passage of time, lifestyles have changed, and we want to convey this comfort to the present day by creating fabrics that can be worn not only at home but also outdoors. In 2017, we decided to develop Biwa Cotton, a comfortable fabric with excellent stretch while retaining the crispness unique to chijimi. This is a product created by the historical "Takashima Chijimi" company, which looks to the future by continuing to pass on technology and providing comfort to people, while discerning the shape of things necessary for daily life in response to changes in the times.